Court to decide Allu Arjun's bail plea in connection with fatal Pushpa 2 stampede

Allu Arjun

The Hyderabad Nampally court is set to deliver its verdict today, January 3, on the bail plea of actor Allu Arjun in connection with the tragic stampede that occurred during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre on December 4, 2024. The incident resulted in the death of 35-year-old Revathi and left her son critically injured.

Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 in connection with the stampede and was released on the same day after securing interim bail from the Telangana High Court. The court granted him four weeks of interim bail, conditional upon a Rs
50,000 bond. The bail plea hearing is a significant development in the case as the arguments have already concluded. The case, which has drawn considerable public attention, involves not just the actor but also his security team and the theatre management. The charges are framed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following a complaint lodged by Revathi’s family.

The tragic incident unfolded when a large crowd gathered at the theatre, eager to catch a glimpse of the star during the film's premiere. This resulted in a stampede, during which Revathi was crushed to death. Her son was severely injured, sustaining life-threatening injuries. The crowd chaos was reportedly exacerbated by the presence of the actor's security personnel, which led to further tension at the venue.

In the wake of the incident, the family of the deceased woman has raised serious concerns about the lack of safety measures, alleging that the stampede was worsened by police action. According to reports, the complainants accused the Chikkadpally police, who were escorting Allu Arjun, of using excessive force, including a lathi charge, which allegedly contributed to the stampede. This incident, they argue, played a direct role in the death and injuries caused.

On a positive note, there has been public recognition of the support extended by the actor and his family. On December 24, Bhaskar, the father of the injured child, shared that his son was showing signs of recovery after more than 20 days in critical care. He also expressed gratitude to Allu Arjun and the Telangana government for their assistance. Additionally, Allu Aravind, the father of the actor and a well-known film producer, announced a Rs 2 crore financial aid package for the injured child and his family.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also intervened, calling for an inquiry into the matter. It has asked for an investigation into the allegations, specifically the claims of police brutality during the promotional event. The NHRC has directed that a senior police officer be assigned to investigate the incident and submit a detailed report of the actions taken.

As the court prepares to rule on Allu Arjun’s bail plea, the ongoing investigation and the NHRC’s involvement underscore the gravity of the incident and the multiple layers of accountability at play. The outcome of today's ruling could have significant implications for both the actor and the wider film industry’s approach to crowd control and safety at public events.